Fifteen-year-old batting talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has hailed his breakout performance in Harare as a dream come true. The young cricketer played a pivotal role in India’s 3-0 T20I series sweep against Zimbabwe, culminating in a match-winning 81 in the final game. His consistent run-scoring—which included knocks of 50, 20, and 81—saw him named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series. This achievement marks a historical milestone, as Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to receive either award in men's international cricket.
Reflecting on his success, the teenager noted that his familiarity with the venue, having previously played there during the Under-19 World Cup, significantly boosted his confidence. He also credited the Indian team management, including the captain and coaches, for their unwavering support throughout the tour. Sooryavanshi emphasized that his approach remained consistent across all three matches, focusing on providing the team with a strong start and then building his innings to maximize the total. He dismissed the idea of secret techniques, stating that his match-day strokeplay is simply a replication of his practice sessions.
India captain Shreyas Iyer praised the youthful squad for their fearless attitude, particularly in the wake of a challenging tour of the UK. Iyer highlighted the immense energy and intent displayed by the players during the back-to-back fixtures in Zimbabwe. According to the captain, fostering a comfortable and relaxed environment is essential for extracting the best performance from such a vibrant group of young talents, a strategy that clearly paid off during their dominant series victory.
"Yes, it's truly a dream come true moment. Getting my first Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards, I'm very happy,” Sooryavanshi said after the match.
Despite his expanding repertoire, Sooryavanshi insisted there was no secret behind his strokeplay.
